Books 1-5 of 2009
I know, 5 books already? But I've been sick since the night before new years eve, what else am I going to do (besides watching too many episodes of West Wing, which has punished me by appearing in my dreams)?
1. Accordion Crimes by E. Annie Proulx (431 pgs)
By the author of The Shipping News, which I loved. It is true that this book follows an accordion, but more than that, it gives so much information about the various periods in history and types of cultural musics it was involved in. It is unfortunate that more than the accordion couldn't have linked the various stories because by the time it reached Texas I was a little tired of the introduction of new unrelated characters. Clearly well-researched and interesting from a ethnomusicological standpoint, which the introduction says the author's son is!
2. Little Children by Tom Perrotta (355 pgs)
I don't usually read a book after seeing the movie, but there were a few memorable lines in the movie that I was hoping originated in the book. An interesting story about the choices you make in your daily life, combating the terror of normality that hits once you have become an adult, and the consequences of both.
"What was adult life but one moment of weakness piled on top of another? Most people just fell in line like obedient little children, doing exactly what society expected of them at any given moment, all the while pretending that they'd actually made some sort of choice."
3. The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling (111 pgs)
Meh. I like the Harry Potter universe but am not so obsessed that this meant anything at all to me. The print is large and very spaced out, the "commentary" is longer than the tales themselves, and I just have to content myself with knowing that at least J.K. Rowling donated the proceeds of this to charity
4. Breathing Lessons by Anne Tyler (368 pgs)
To be fair, I think I may just not be a fan of Anne Tyler. The characters are okay, I think they're supposed to be heartwarming but they fall flat to me.
5. Drinking Coffee Elsewhere by ZZ Packer (288 pgs)
A collection of short stories, all featuring African Americans, and a lot to do with Baltimore but not always. My favorite was the story with the same name as the collection. She captures characters so well, I was completely drawn in and puzzled when the stories ended. The best kind.
1. Accordion Crimes by E. Annie Proulx (431 pgs)
By the author of The Shipping News, which I loved. It is true that this book follows an accordion, but more than that, it gives so much information about the various periods in history and types of cultural musics it was involved in. It is unfortunate that more than the accordion couldn't have linked the various stories because by the time it reached Texas I was a little tired of the introduction of new unrelated characters. Clearly well-researched and interesting from a ethnomusicological standpoint, which the introduction says the author's son is!
2. Little Children by Tom Perrotta (355 pgs)
I don't usually read a book after seeing the movie, but there were a few memorable lines in the movie that I was hoping originated in the book. An interesting story about the choices you make in your daily life, combating the terror of normality that hits once you have become an adult, and the consequences of both.
"What was adult life but one moment of weakness piled on top of another? Most people just fell in line like obedient little children, doing exactly what society expected of them at any given moment, all the while pretending that they'd actually made some sort of choice."
3. The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling (111 pgs)
Meh. I like the Harry Potter universe but am not so obsessed that this meant anything at all to me. The print is large and very spaced out, the "commentary" is longer than the tales themselves, and I just have to content myself with knowing that at least J.K. Rowling donated the proceeds of this to charity
4. Breathing Lessons by Anne Tyler (368 pgs)
To be fair, I think I may just not be a fan of Anne Tyler. The characters are okay, I think they're supposed to be heartwarming but they fall flat to me.
5. Drinking Coffee Elsewhere by ZZ Packer (288 pgs)
A collection of short stories, all featuring African Americans, and a lot to do with Baltimore but not always. My favorite was the story with the same name as the collection. She captures characters so well, I was completely drawn in and puzzled when the stories ended. The best kind.